WSOP 2011 Coverage and Highlights

Published on Sat, 06/25/2011

As the days have passed, the World Series of Poker continues to break records, produce champions and create momentous hands. Since our last update, nine more events have taken place and there has been plenty going down.

Event number 27 saw Canadian Daniel Idema from Vancouver, cross the border and carry out a smash ‘n’ grab to take the $378,642 first place prize in the $10,000 buy-in Limit Hold’em Championship. This was slightly eclipsed when Andy Frankenberger won the following event which was the smaller buy-in event of the $1,500 buy-in Limit Hold’em where he took home a massive $599,153 for winning the event thanks to the participation of 2,500 entrants.

The next event was the 10 Game Mix/ Six Handed that saw players involved in an array of games during the event including No Limit Hold’em, Seven Card Razz, Badugi Limit, Seven Card Stud and Omaha Hi-Lo. With just 431 participants the prize pool was low with a buy-in at $2,500. Chris Lee won $254,955 for beating fellow American Brian Haveson in the heads up.

It was then the turn of the over 50s to have their time in the limelight. The Seniors No Limit Hold’em Championship had a buy-in of $1,000 and attracted an amazing 3,752. James Hess won the $557,435 top prize and the attendance at this event was further proof that the overall attendance at this year’s WSOP is thriving despite the events of Black Friday.

The Pot Limit Omaha event was next up and it was another American victory as the top five finishers showed that the US was showing no signs of having its poker talent negatively affected by the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. Sam Stein sealed victory against Benjamin Lamb in an all-American finale that pleased the partisan crowd. As the Americans appeared to be gaining a foothold in this year’s tournament, the Canadians then fought back in the following event. Event number 32 saw three out of the final four players hail from north of the American border and it was Canadian Kirk Caldwell who took home the $668,276 first place prize.

Event number 33 then saw history denied once more as Eric Rodawig followed in John Juanda’s footsteps by preventing WSOP legend Phil Hellmuth from winning that record-breaking 12th WSOP bracelet in the Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split 8 or Better Championship.

Mark Schmid then took the crown in the No Limit Hold’em for event number 34. American poker professional Jason Mercier then sealed his second WSOP bracelet with a win in the Pot Limit Omaha/ Six Handed which saw him add $619,575 to his total prize winnings.

So the WSOP 2011 story continues to unfold and more winners will be decided in the coming days. There’s just under 2 weeks to go until this year’s tournament reaches an end and it’s already been an unforgettable tournament. One can only guess what stories remain and many are wondering if Phil Hellmuth can secure that elusive 12th WSOP bracelet to break the records. There are so many questions that are still unanswered and the next fortnight will go a long way to revealing the fate of thousands of players.